People have right to be disappointed with govt's reform failure: Bersih

Summary

• Bersih says the people have the right to be disappointed if the government fails to deliver reform promises.

• Its chairperson Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz tells the government to seize the new year to begin the process of structural reforms.

• He also announces a series of rallies which will be kickstarted in Ipoh, Perak next month to capitalise on the momentum started by last Saturday’s anti-corruption protest.

Bersih reminded that the people have the right to be disappointed should the government fail to fulfil its reform promises.

The electoral watchdog's chairperson Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz told Malaysiakini that the government should seize this year to start the process of structural reforms.

“The people have a right to be disappointed after placing high hopes on the Madani government led by (Prime Minister) Anwar Ibrahim to make this change,” Faisal said.

Among the reforms Bersih demands are the separation of the attorney-general and public prosecutor roles, amending the Election Offences Act 1954 to suppress corruption in elections, changes to the MACC Act 2009, and enacting the Political Funding Act.

Besides that, Faisal said that Bersih is planning a series of rallies nationwide, which will kick off in Ipoh, Perak next month.

“This roadshow is a form of encouragement and to spread awareness to the people, for us to be together in urging the government to implement reform, especially to put an end to corruption,” he said.

Pointing to the rally held in Kuala Lumpur last Saturday (Jan 25), he said that Bersih should use the momentum to hold large-scale gatherings to pressure the government if the reform agenda is not fully realised.

“Therefore, to ensure that the agenda of denouncing corruption is successful, Bersih welcomes the cooperation of all parties, especially students, so that we can carry the voice and hopes of the people,” he said.

‘We thank the students for protesting’

He also praised the students for the anti-corruption rally in Dataran Merdeka last week, saying that he and others in Bersih thanked them personally.

Last week, around 200 people, mainly students from more than 10 local universities, marched more than 1km to voice dissatisfaction with the corruption cases in the country.

The rally was at first blocked by the Pakatan Harapan-led government, with Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil - both from Anwar’s party PKR - siding with the police.

This was criticised by Bersih and Suaram, who accused the government of hypocrisy considering Harapan leaders’ past experience at rallies.

But Anwar later said he had no issue with the rally, adding that Saifuddin had given it the green light to proceed.

This rally was a follow-up to the student-led New Year’s Eve rally in Sabah, which protested against state politicians implicated in an ongoing graft scandal.

This came after a Malaysiakini exposé on Sabah assemblypersons allegedly discussing bribes to obtain mining prospecting licences, which also implicated Chief Minister Hajiji Noor.

Hajiji and others linked to the scandal have denied any wrongdoing, claiming it to be a conspiracy to destabilise the state government ahead of the state polls.

Mat Sabu promises to review paddy floor price following farmers' protest

200 protesters march to Dataran, urging govt to hasten reforms

Don't underestimate people power, Hanipa warns govt ahead of rally

PM: I have no problem with anti-graft rally

Anti-graft rally organisers yet to resubmit notice, cops to deploy 400